The Indianapolis Colts were able to hold their own against the Los Angeles Rams in the Week 4 matchup, but costly mistakes on the Colts handed them the loss.
Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell hauled in what would have been a 76-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of the game, before letting go of the ball a few yards short of the goalline. The ball went out of the endzone, resulting in a touchback and giving possession to the Rams.
The Colts would have gained a 16-13 lead in the third quarter if the ball had not slipped out of Mitchell’s hand.
“The ball was put in my hands to make a play for the team, and it was a matter of losing focus … just a play that can’t happen. Just unacceptable. I just gotta be better for the team, for the organization,” Mitchell said after the loss.
Los Angeles didn’t score on the possession after Mitchell lost the ball. If Mitchell had possession of the ball, it would have swung the momentum of the game and helped the Colts to a 4-0 record.
Shane Steichen On The Mistake
GettyIndianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell lost possession of the ball before reaching the endzone
The former second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was seeing an increase in snaps against the Rams in Week 4 due to wide receiver Alec Pierce dealing with a concussion injury.
A reporter asked head coach Shane Steichen how the team moves forward from costly mistakes, highlighting Adonai Mitchell.
“He took accountability in the team meeting,” Steichen told reporters. “Spoke to the team to start the team meeting. I had a conversation with him in my office today (8/29), just letting him know that this moment doesn’t define who you are as a person.”
“But he knows going forward, he’s gonna have to earn it going forward. How he practices and how he prepares.”
The former Texas Longhorn receiver was not benched after his mistake. Steichen mentioned that Mitchell will be with the team next Sunday and won’t be shut down.
Ten Players On Field During Rams Game Winning Play
GettyLos Angeles Rams WR Tutu Atwell (left) and Indianapolis Colts safety (right)
Adonai Mitchell was not the only player who made a mistake in the game against the Rams.
The Indianapolis Colts were able to fight back into the game and were tied with the Los Angeles Rams in the final minutes, 20-20.
The Rams had an 88-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tutu Atwell that gave LA the lead with less than two minutes to go. The Colts only had 10 players on the field on the play that gave LA the win.
“It shouldn’t happen,” Steichen said. “It’s unacceptable and it starts with me as the head coach. I got to recognize that we only got 10 [players on the field] and call timeout there. It can’t happen.”
“It’s early in the season, we get them cleaned up and we get ready for the [Las Vegas] Raiders. We just can’t have those costly mistakes bite us there at the end.”
Colts’ HC Sends Message To Adonai Mitchell After Costly Mistake